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Month: April 2017

Hey everybody! It’s time to (chill out…) for one more anime for Anime Short Features Month! To recap, we embraced otaku culture of the mobile generation in Hackadoll, relaxed with comfort food and a smooth beverage in Wakakozake, and explored one of Japan’s most treasured art styles combined with the nation’s most contested historic periods in Sengoku Chojyu Giga. This time, we are bringing together different cultures in urban Japan in Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro.

I actually think this is one of the most creative anime short features that gives us a different flavor of a slice of life. I may have a bias toward the setting given where I live, but urban life hardly gets represented in anime, especially considering how many of these shows take place in Tokyo. But this series also combines two things that aren’t always seen together. Who knew that fried cooking and disk jockeying had so much in common?

The animation and music melds perfectly together for one funky anime short. And if nothing else, this series always gives me a craving for some tonkatsu.

Now I’m not exactly an art history buff, but chojyu giga is a Japanese art that was printed on scrolls depicting humans as animal caricatures. The art began around the 12th and 13th centuries, but you may find an artisan today who still makes them. Chojyu giga may not be manga as we know it today, but its style has influenced manga in a lot of ways. The very attachment to anthropomorphism of regular human beings (albeit political figures for the purposes of this series) is one of the more obvious examples to me.

Chojyu giga are considered masterpieces of Japanese culture today, so they must be revered in high regard. But if this anime is any indication of how these works of art are to be treated, they are far from being an art style for the elite noble classes. On the contrary, the ones shown here are satirical political cartoons.

Let’s make one thing clear: there is nothing wrong with this series. It’s pithy enough to be relaxing, it’s got a fun-loving character, and it brings the anime fan and foodie communities together. At least I hope it does.

Obviously I recommend the series (I recommend crap that I hate too, so long as I’m talking about it). Hell, I’d recommend the live action drama for all of a handful of episodes I’ve seen of it. It’s entertaining. Unfortunately, I do have one bias that keeps me from enjoying this popular short feature to its fullest.

Are you otaku? Do you feel like your life is dull as ever? Need some excitement in your life? Or do you just want to get… advanced?

If you answered “yes!” to any of the above questions, do we have a deal for you! Based on the mobile app by popular demand (I guess?), let these virtual Hacker Idols (Hackadolls) help you out! They come in all kinds of figures, colors, personalities, and will help you in any situation! Start now and advance your life today!

I am writing this in response to a friend’s post-graduate project that involves bringing together experiences from the fan fiction and LGBT communities. You can find out more about her project here. This is a reflective essay on my experience writing my Pokemon fan fictions, Professor Ginkgo Chronicles (PGC) and Oda Twin Chronicles (OTC).